This morning Mr Kenny warned that the peace process would be threatened by any return to a hard border in Ireland:

“It brought with it sectarianism and thirty years of real difficulties where 3,000 people lost their lives,” he said. “[With] acts of terrorism, indiscriminate bombings and all of that trouble and tragedy that it brought on so many families.”

“We do not want a return to that sectarian issue - and therefore politically we cannot have a border as applied before.”

He also highlighted the importance of conducting the upcoming negotiations in a respectful manner.

“We believe that it is crucial that the withdrawal of the United Kingdom is managed in an orderly and competent fashion,” he said. “We have consistently urged both sides to adopt a constructive approach to these negotiations.”

“There is no point in having verbal wars before the negotiations even begin.”

Mr Kenny warned delegates the Ireland remains heavily dependent on the UK as a trading partner - but repeatedly insisted that the country will remain "at the very heart of Europe."

He also expressed his hope that a new Executive can be formed in Northern Ireland before the negotiations begin in earnest.

Mr Barnier has repeatedly stated that Irish concerns - including the peace process and the border –will remain top priorities during the Brexit talks.